Compression vs saturation vs distortion. Parallel distortion can be a lot of fun to play with.

Compression vs saturation vs distortion The entire signal gets turned down. For example, passing signals via transformers, tape Multi-band saturation is a relatively new form of processing, but an incredibly useful one nonetheless. As we have seen, saturation occurs when electrical components are overloaded, resulting in soft compression and the generation of harmonics that can range from subtle to wild. ly/thermal-onesto📦 Shaperbox 2 by Cableguys: https://bit. Saturating before compression can help enhance it's effect little as the compression helps to bring it out as well. Engineers for top bands or hit records will often use saturation plugins in a controlled and purposeful way to provide more interesting and stimulating results than the average mixdown. Saturation Saturation afaik as a concept came from magnetic media. Colorization and character come into play based on how your equipment handles saturation. It aims to recreate the warm, nonlinear characteristics and additional harmonic content associated with analogue equipment. Mar 13, 2019 · The 'Deco recreates the compression and third-order harmonic saturation effects that happen when a signal is recorded to tape. The signals below the saturation level are not affected. Phase distortion. Soft clipping will round off peaks just like a limiter does. Beyond guitars, many other instruments sound good with some distortion, overdrive or saturation. This can lead to inhomogeneous saturation (Figure 4), where the spectral shape changes; typically, the gain around the laser wavelength is saturated more than the gain at other wavelengths. Amps like Dual Rectifiers don't have an extremely high amount of gain, but it is very saturated or "wet". Rejoignez gratuitement la communauté V. You can also change the character of the saturation with the saturate and hysteresis knobs. I use a variety of free and third party plugins and VST's throughout the video Sep 9, 2024 · Like a sponge to water, a given component has a threshold of energy tolerance before it saturates. Saturation occurs when the electrical components of a piece of hardware are overwhelmed. When you have this combination, you typically create a saturated sound - one that incorporates both harmonic generation, and the fuller and more dynamically balanced Jul 23, 2018 · The 1 dB compression point (P1dB) is the output power level at which the gain decreases 1 dB from its constant value. it is the most natural compression and can not only feel like an EQ, it can actually change the perception of timing. A little bit of tape saturation on bass guitar, for example, can really help round out the sound. of EECS Mixer Compression and Intercept Points Recall we discussed the 1 dB compression point and the 3rd order intercept point for amplifiers. clipping vs. Distortion is great but it should be used as needed, like everything else. Slate Virtual Tape Machine goes on pretty much every track for subtle tape sat. A laser at 1064 nm saturates the gain around 1064 nm more than the gain at other wavelengths. 1dB (Output Power at 1 dB Compression) Input Power . It can certainly help when looking to increase the loudness perception. Extreme example would be electric guitar sustain (and harmonics)increasing with distortion/saturation. An important gain compression parameter is the OP1dB, which is the power input that results in a 1 dB compression of the output power (OP), corresponding to a gain ratio of 10-1 ⁄ 10 = 79. Saturation is like a cloud that absorbs your signal. Mar 7, 2010 · Do your mixes cry out for the color and saturation of analogue tape or the warm characteristics of tubes? Using tube or tape saturation plugins can add a whole new depth to your recordings giving them back warmth and color that was once lost in the digital world. Jan 4, 2025 · Digital Distortion vs Harmonic Saturation: Key Techniques. While there's a lot more to harmonics than just this, it's useful to understand how they work in relation to saturation so you know how it can affect your music. Tape saturation typically adds warmth and smooth compression, while tube saturation enhances harmonic richness with a slightly aggressive edge. Saturation Vs Distortion. Recording engineers realised that the pleasant distortion and compression characteristics of saturation could be used as a mix tool, making individual tracks sound more punchy, helping to 'glue' elements together and even making entire mixes sound bigger and louder. Esto se debe a que empiezan a aparecer pequeñas fluctuaciones en la forma de onda a medida que la señal empuja con más fuerza hacia el umbral dado. Saturation is similar to soft clipping, which also reduces dynamic range AND adds harmonics – they tend to go hand in hand. What do these compression points mean in terms of output signal distortion? The dark grey waveform in Figure 2 represents a 1-kHz, 80% amplitude-modulated waveform as used in RF immunity testing. So, let’s get into it. Typically, a compressor has a bit of lag from when it senses a signal over threshold to when the gain reduction circuit kicks in. Mar 8, 2011 · I would suspect that many plugins which let you switch between "tube" and "tape" distortion are literally just applying pre/post EQ presets with the exact same saturation curve in between and you can probably make one sound like the other just by EQing on either side. com May 14, 2023 · What device do you prefer to give your sounds some tape-like saturation and compression? I sometimes use regular cassettes to record on before importing that Jul 23, 2012 · Overdrive & distortion: Overdrive vs. All of the prior discussion on saturation transfer functions (or shaper functions) can therefore be referred to as wave shaping. In technical terms, it’s the process of adding harmonics to a sound signal, which enriches the original tone and often results in a fuller, perceived louder sound. Jun 9, 2018 · jimmyklane wrote:Saturation actually DOES compress the signal. But fear not, music makers! But fear not, music makers! Understanding the subtle distinctions between tube saturation, tape saturation, and distortion is a superpower for any musician or producer. Whereas with transistors 'hard clipping' actually cuts the top of the waveform off and loses all information that was in the chopped off part, while adding mostly odd order information (distortion) not musically related. Oct 23, 2023 · The crucial role of saturation in music production Analog vs. Driving sounds through tape, tubes, transistors, and circuits have long been an essential ingredient in great-sounding mixes. Technically, saturation is distortion. Try inserting a distortion plugin to modify an aux effect. Saturation. Saturation can be used on individual tracks, or on the master bus. While this is highly debatable and depends upon the requirement, this article will serve you to be a guide to make a better decision. Sep 16, 2021 · In this video we take a look at saturation and distortion in music production. Use distortion to modify an aux effect. With distortion, the components do not change, so the effect is linear. Dec 18, 2022 · Saturation as I know it is the limit of analog tape to hold more magnetism. So, there is a compression of dynamic range when you have distortion, but it isn't the same type of compression that you typically get from a dedicated compressor. The same concepts are also valid for mixers! Instead of the values P in and P out, consider now P RF and P IF . sageaudio. You might think you sound awesome, but all the audience will hear is a muffled roar. 3/7/2005 Mixer Compression and Intercept Points. a tape machine or amplifier). Finally, distortion involves altering the shape of a waveform which changes the tonality. When referring to audio, saturation is a combination of compression and distortion that results from overtaxing the structural elements of an electrical system. I. The signal goes in and the medium gets saturated with it. NOTE: Most amplifiers start to compress approximately 5 to 10 dB below P1dB. Adding saturation before might cause you to spend time and energy troubleshooting harmonics that seem impossible to tame. A limiter ensures enough headroom (unused dynamic range) for these effects to work effectively and more transparently or subtly. To my ears, the most obvious difference is that symmetrical clipping had more saturation and perceived gain. There are lots of kinds -- harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, crossover distortion, clipping, etc. Amplifiers should be operated below the compression point. Audio exciters add synthesized harmonics/harmonic distortion, typically in the high-frequency range. Depends also on how you set the compressor, if you use it more like a limiter that works after, compression is usually better up front as it changes the guitar response dynamic, thickens the tone and brings up the lightly picked strings and notes to a more articulate level while serving to limit the hard spikes which is a Jan 17, 2025 · Distortion Overdrive; Gain Style: More heavily-clipped and saturated sound with heavy compression: Smooth, soft-clipped sound that mimics a cranked tube amp: Dynamic Response: Very compressed dynamic range, making them better for sustain and dynamic consistency: More responsive to dynamics with smooth clipping style : Style Saturation, overdrive and fuzz are all words used to describe 'flavours' of distortion — from saturation at the subtle end to fuzz at the extreme. 4%. Compression ratios range from 1:1 to 20:1 or more, while saturation can be added in increments from 0 to 100%. This can have a range of benefits or detriments depending on how it is applied (what plugin, series/parallel, multiband vs full range, etc) and what it is applied to. Jun 19, 2012 · As luck would have it, tape saturation sounds pretty appealing to most people. Not just the transient that triggered the compression. Oct 24, 2013 · The 1-dB compression point is important since it shows you the input power point where compression begins and distortion will occur. I sometimes use it, and sometimes not at all. While Unlock the power of compression vs. I experimented with asymmetrical vs. Saturation results in a fuller, slightly louder sound due to the harmonics, but compression gives you more compression options. g. That’s how guitars ‘sustain’ when distorted, and why IMO many things can sound fatter and fuller with some saturation etc. EDIT2: The second link author likes to bounce in and out of using distortion & saturation. Jun 1, 2020 · Get analog mastering: https://www. of Kansas Dept. Distortion and saturation helps a lot to make things seem loud and cut through a mix. ly/shaperbo Aug 18, 2021 · Along with saturation, you can also control the compression, gain, drive, EQ with low and high pass filters, and even add a delay to the saturation effects. FabFilter Saturn is pretty great for a multi-band saturation/distortion. Apr 23, 2022 · Saturation. 6V6 Transfer Curve. Clipping Explained The subtle distortion of the saturation gives the pick attack some extra bite and makes it stand out a little, and since it simulates analog distortion, it's a more pleasant kind of compression (distortion naturally compresses the signal). The free Softube Saturation Knob sounds really nice and allows some great tricks to emulate tape like saturating the high end first (stereo imager with a saturation knob on each band, with neutral or save low on the low band and save high on the upper band). Common forms of distortion include clipping, harmonic distortion, saturation, overdrive, fuzz, bit-crushing, downsampling, phase distortion and so on. Jul 10, 2024 · Ensuring Headroom for Effects: Submixes often receive further processing, like compression or saturation. Saturation can be broken down most simply into 2 distinct forms of processing: compression and distortion. Bit depth distortion. Aug 5, 2020 · Distortion can also add muddiness in the lows and lower midrange, which you might need to reduce with an equalizer. e. Compression, saturation, and distortion (as the term is commonly used) are all the same thing: they take a waveform and compress the peaks to varying degrees, adding varying degrees of harmonics, from the unnoticeable (compression) to subtle "warmth" (saturation) to the extreme ("distortion"). Little confusing. It will also wash out your sound and sink you into the mix. Aug 16, 2011 · Distortion acts as compression, so the more gain you use the more it will flatten the dynamics of your playing. Transistor-based saturation often produces a more controlled, punchy effect. Figure 4: Demonstration of inhomogeneous gain saturation. P. . By mastering specific techniques, you can enhance your mixes with clarity, texture, and tonal balance. Compression is control of dynamic range. Feb 13, 2020 · When speaking about audio, distortion describes any change made to an audio signal. In this context, you may also find the word 'distortion' used to imply a certain severity of distortion effect, usually somewhere between overdrive and fuzz. Parallel distortion can be a lot of fun to play with. Feb 29, 2024 · So when saturation introduces this harmonic distortion we interpret it as a warm sound (2nd order) or a more aggressive one (3rd order). Distortion vs. Overdrive typically refers to distortion produced by an amplifier which is being asked to amplify a signal beyond its linear range. In summary, both compression and saturation are essential techniques in audio processing. At its core, this is really what saturation is doing throughout your mixes. Nov 21, 2023 · Saturation is like the secret sauce of sound engineering – that ingredient that turns a bland dish into a gourmet meal for the ears. I'm looking for a way to simulate this on the AXE-FX II. Colloquially there's a bit of overlap in the terms which can make it a bit confusing. Apr 21, 2024 · Demystifying Tube Saturation Tape Saturation and Distortion – The world of audio effects can be a labyrinth of knobs and cryptic terms. With compression you either reduce the loudest parts of a sound bringing them closer to the quiet parts, raise the quiet parts closer to the loudest, or clamp down on a sound after the loudest part in order to emphasize the loudest part. Saturation, distortion, and clipping all work slightly different. Aug 22, 2015 · A compressor after any level of dirt is going to magnify any noise. Distortion. This is because harmonic distortion follows a pattern – it doesn’t cut off sounds at random, it folds them back under in an ordered way. But then, as I was saying, you can have too much saturation too. Its compression-like nature means that we can use it to add warmth to individual sounds. limiting. Each electrical component will create different harmonic formations, with the most common harmonics being a 2nd and 3rd order, like with Tube and Tape saturation respectively. I think the thing I couldn't live without is automation. Technically speaking, compression itself could be argued to be a kind of distortion - if you put an attack/release setting on a saturation/clipper to make the gain modulation smoothly applied and decayed instead of instant, you have a compressor. The Mesa Mark series and VHT amps, however, have just as much gain, but it is very dry and crisp, IE not saturated. When two Compression first! Compression can bring out different harmonics (especially OTT) so you might not need a crazy amount of distortion afterwards. In both cases, the medium basically runs out of supplies and hence becomes non‑linear. This effect is actually a type of distortion but the end result is too different, that’s why saturation can be listed as a separate audio effects type. EDIT: Quoted before you typed more. saturation The terms distortion and saturation are often used interchangeably in music production, but they aren’t quite the same. You can negatively modulate the dynamics knob so it bounces back to 12:00(0%) and then as the initial transient decays it bring the ambience up to create an interesting side chain compression like effect. Consider Sharing:Music production is full of somewhat mysterious workflows and so is to decide whether to saturate before or after compression. Mar 4, 2025 · Bottom line, when it comes to saturation vs distortion, don’t forget to use saturation to enhance warmth and body, and distortion when you want more aggression and edge. The input can be altered to make the distortion and saturation more noticeable. What is Saturation? What does it sound like? Where should you use it? I'll cover the basics and show you a Sep 3, 2023 · Referencing my response to Metaphor above (same reply as this) I really like to shoot for sizzle in the top end of basses and 808s and have found moderate success doing both MB compression and MB saturation/distortion. In comparison, asymmetrical sounded like a there was a little clean blend going on. Gain compression is the difference between the ideal linear power transfer curve and the real circuit's power transfer curve. Apr 4, 2019 · Over-saturated, aggressive compression, very rich in harmonics and sustain that can go to infinite and beyond if the pots are all the way to the right. Saturation can be divided into 2 effects: soft-knee compression and harmonic generation. For example, Miloco engineer Jamie McEvoy told us: “I often find [saturation] more useful than compression because it shapes tone as well as controlling dynamics. Its also fun to use in the same way with the mix knob instead if you have a more saturated gain setting. Saturation is a combination of compression and subtle distortion which comes from the circuitry of analog equipment. For example, passing signals via transformers, tape Tube amplifiers' transfer curves are not straight lines, they are non-linear so tube amps always generate nonlinear distortion, even when played "clean". When compressing your vocal, you may be trying to decide between saturation or compression - saturation is soft-knee compression combined with harmonic distortion, whereas compression is just compression. Saturation Compression. Preferably you are choosing the right saturation so that isn’t an issue anyway and even more preferably you are using saturation and compression that is complementary in tone for your chosen goal. While saturation refers to a type or a subset of distortion, wave shaping refers to a process or a technique for applying distortion, through the use of a stateless transformation. Intermodulation distortion. Aug 21, 2020 · Asymmetric amplifier saturation causes even order harmonic distortion, manifest as duty cycle distortion in the time domain; Amplifier harmonic distortion and generation is dependent on bias conditionsNow consider an amplifier with two equal power tones at frequency f ±δf with a small frequency difference between them as the input. These days, though, most of us are workin in the box, which means we use saturation plugins that emulate the effect of “real-life” saturation. Compression is used Compression is control of dynamic range. Nov 1, 2021 · When it comes to numbers, compression is measured in decibels (dB), while saturation is measured in percentages. Once you overload tape machines, you’ll achieve saturation as a way of harmonic generation. This can be done with a saturation plugin, or by using an external piece of hardware. Distortion , on the other hand, is a term we use to describe the alteration of a waveform shape, creating a unique tonality compared to the 'dry' or undistorted signal. As mentioned above, distortion comes in many forms, including: Harmonic distortion. limiting is distortion, as is clipping, as is saturation, as is compression, etc. What it comes down to is saturating after compression can be seemingly more subtle, and that's not a bad thing since saturation accumulates in a mix. Saturation vs. Saturation and distortion both alter audio signals but in distinct ways. Saturation is a type of distortion that sounds more musical, meaning it’s mostly meant to alter the flavor of the sound without being too invasive. This is of course, distortion, but not all distortion sounds bad. Saturated Output Power (P SAT) ∆= 1dB. In the case of tape, saturation compression is caused by not having enough magnetic particles to store a stronger magnetic field, while in valve circuits it's because the valve can't move any more electrons from the cathode to the anode. Colloquially, since distortion often has a negative or specific connotation, saturation usually refers to a more nuanced level of harmonic distortion. Essentially, it allows you to saturate individual bands of your frequency response using various forms and amounts of distortion and compression - in turn giving you a lot more control. When an electrical component is saturated it can no longer output a signal in a linear ratio to the input, resulting in compression and distortion. Saturation adds harmonics to a signal, and provides some gentle compression as well. So if you have a sine wave at 100 Hz, and add harmonic distortion, energy will leak into new harmonics at 200, 300, 400, 500, etc. Jun 21, 2010 · For example 2 db in gives 1 db out and of course you can tweak that. Understanding how to use digital distortion vs harmonic saturation like a boss is all about practice and understanding where they work best. I might saturate before if I want to have that tone going into the compression + wanting to shave down the transient of particularly peaky material Different Compression Ratios ‍ Saturation Vs. This tube amp will impart subtle harmonics onto the signal it amplifies. There are a lot of semantics involved with the terms saturation, distortion, overdrive, and even fuzz. Usually the compression settings are just so fast that it basically is acting like distortion which then gets followed up with It’s quite common now to see mixers using parallel saturation/distortion on individual sources, group buses and even the master bus. Limiter Considerations:. Nov 21, 2024 · Saturation Vs Distortion The term saturation itself comes from the idea that we’re saturating or coating our signal with generally a low level of distortion. Arbitrary Distortion. In the absolute simplest terms, saturation is a subtler kind of distortion. It’s an approach that can have many advantages. In addition to compression, saturation results in the signal’s distortion, which can be observed as harmonics - or generated frequencies related to the fundamental. For example, insert it after a delay to create distorted echoes, or after a reverb to add subtle fatness to the vocals. I’m not qualified to write that, and I don’t think that would be very useful for the majority of the people reading this blog. The peaks have instantaneous power levels that are 3. Tape AND tubes, in fact most/all saturation/distortion/clipping is also ‘compressing’ to some degree. That means everything from amplification to EQ to compression is technically considered distortion. 1 dB compression point defines the output level at which the amplifier's gain is 1 dB less than the small signal gain, or is compressed by 1 dB (P1dB). Amplifiers should always be operated below the compression point. Saturation is the combination of harmonic generation and soft-knee compression. When applied lightly, tube saturation produces even harmonics that reinforce the recorded signal, helping instruments and vocals blend more smoothly in the mix. Plus, make sure that you’re layering effects with precision, keeping an eye on transients, and always checking how your processing sits in the overall mix. : https://tatoomandarine. By increasing the input but decreasing the output, you can create compression, which is another important aspect of saturation. Conclusion. Note this is not the same thing as the tape distortion effect which is usually placed before the amp to act as a preamp boost/EQ filter. Saturation is a subtle form of audio distortion that adds harmonic richness and warmth through soft compression, typically generating even-order harmonics for a musical sound. Jun 16, 2024 · Saturation, on the other hand, refers to a specific type of distortion that emulates the behaviour of analogue circuits. Saturation是一個強大的工具，不僅用於混音，還用於音軌和母帶處理。特別是對於搖滾音樂，早期在音軌在把擴大器調整到失真、破掉來錄音是很常見的。當時的這種方式可以幫助bass、電吉他和人聲等音軌在混音中加入一些特殊的效果。但在近代大部分的混音師，都是在後期才把這個效果加上去。在 Aug 26, 2022 · If you’re new to learning about music and all the different terms that are associated with its production, then you might be wondering exactly what saturation and distortion are. ly/Saturn2-Onesto ️‍🔥Output Thermal: https://bit. Yes. digital audio saturation Different types of saturation & their unique characteristics The science driving harmonic distortion and saturation Professional tips & tricks for applying saturation in your tracks Much more to help you master saturation Mar 26, 2025 · Audio saturation is the essence of what makes analog hardware sound musical and pleasing. 2 times greater than the average power. A couple comments are saying when it comes to EQ, compression, distortion, and saturation, that you can live without distortion, but not without compression or EQ. DISTORTION is NOT a COMPRESSOR. Sep 9, 2024 · Like a sponge to water, a given component has a threshold of energy tolerance before it saturates. Saturation serves as a far more versatile mixing tool than distortion. Nov 17, 2013 · Using a transformer with a low-distortion, op amp based system may provide a tiny bit of transformer "character" at mid levels due to the transformer's hysteresis induced distortion, core saturation and ringing, but will still exhibit the abrupt, hard, high distortion clipping of an op amp reaching its voltage swing limits. Distorting Other Instruments. ). For saturation/distortion effects that have dynamic response (and distort more when louder input, etc) you can put it on a send, put one or two compressors/limiters to kill the dynamic range, and then put the saturation/distortion after, so it will always be the same amount of harmonic content added, and then blend that in with the return fader Jul 27, 2021 · Distortion vs Saturation. In this video I discuss saturation and distortion. For our purposes, distortion refers to harmonic distortion, which is the result of clipping, saturation or overdriving a circuit. com/inscriptionAccès aux formations Tatoo Mandarine (15% de remise pour les membres VIP) Oct 31, 2017 · This is one of the key things that separates distortion from saturation. The two main types of saturation plugin are tube and tape: Tube Saturation Feb 10, 2023 · If you have hardware, you can still achieve analogue saturation by pushing your gear hot. Saturation is a result of distortion and compression that comes from overloading an electrical system (e. p ut Power . But when talking about overdrives and distortions, it’s becoming more complex : a cranked up overdrive is very similar to a subtle distortion. Apr 25, 2023 · Distortion vs. Waveshaping, in contrast to saturation, is a more arbitrary form of distortion. Feb 1, 2025 · Subtle saturation is the most transparent way to enhance a signal, which makes it feel much richer and more natural without introducing obvious distortion. Obligatory, there are no rules. Saturation Before or After Compression? Obviously, the short answer to… Read More »Saturation Before or After Mar 19, 2014 · Wave compression causes mostly even order harmonic (musically related) distortion but retains information. GAIN COMPRESSION AND OUTPUT SIGNAL DISTORTION. For reference, anything that modifies and input signal's amplitude is technically "distortion" (i. In a full mix it’s not always easy to tell if a mix has been saturated. To share with you what I’m doing right now. Aug 19, 2021 · 🪐 Saturn 2 by FabFilter: https://bit. A tube transfer curve is a plot of control grid voltage vs. Mar 18, 2025 · Different types of saturation, such as tape, tube, and transistor-based processing, each impart distinct sonic qualities. Meaning they add energy to the signal like an amplifier, but they suck at it so it sort of leaks into extra harmonics. Saturation/exciters all work by creating "harmonic" distortion. Audio distortion is a catch-all term describing alterations to an audio signal that change or add harmonic content. Dec 15, 2020 · This is not a technical guide to clipping and distortion. Distortion is the broader category. There is a limit to how much information you can store on a given section of tape thanks to the physical limits of the medium and if you push that you get a form of distortion. Cuando una señal entrante se calienta lo suficiente, no sólo se produce compresión, sino también distorsión. Saturation does add harmonics and ALSO reduces dynamic range (like compression). To define the difference, and really answer your question,, Tape saturation happens when there is too much signal put into the oxide of the tape - it gets magnetically saturated - something I was trained, by my mentors back in the tape days, to avoid at all costs. This is just my attempt to boil the question of clipping vs limiting down into practical information. Out. I find I end up saturating just about everything but often at a level that’s almost subliminal. plate current. Distortion is essentially saturation pushed to its limits. Analog saturation is a powerful tool for producers, engineers, and artists seeking to add warmth, character, and depth to their digital mixes. The output is to the right and can be used to amplify the signal after it has been distorted. Jul 20, 2023 · Whilst many mixes are best left clean and direct, saturation plugins are ideal tools for creating an extra feeling of warmth and intensity in your music. Depending on the application, I also like using guitar pedal plugins for a really nasty/gritty saturation. symmetrical clipping in a pedal build I worked on recently. Nonlinear distortion always creates harmonic and intermodulation distortion too. In mixing, saturation is the process of adding harmonic distortion to an audio signal, which also produces subtle compression. Learn how to choose the right tool for punchy, balanced mixes that cut through with clarity and impact. Intermodulation distortion occurs when two or more signals combine in a non-linear way, creating additional noise that can interfere with the sound. If the tape got too saturated, generally we goofed, and had to re-record. Apr 1, 2009 · Saturation, however, refers to the tonal characteristics of the distortion. Technically speaking, whenever a waveform deviates from its original form, it's considered distorted. Distortion Saturation: What Is Audio Saturation? Too much to type so I googled it instead. Oct 6, 2018 · A hard-clipping device like a distortion pedal produces a more compressed, consistent, low dynamic sound; that is, irrespective of a note being played or its volume, the internal gain of the device is set so high that whatever is played will be amplified into clipping beyond the device’s saturation point. The result is generally a loss of high frequencies and a soft, somewhat pleasing emphasis of the lows and compression of the dynamic range. doc 1/5 Jim Stiles The Univ. Harmonic Order: 2 nd vs 3 rd. P. Once an amplifier reaches its P1dB it goes into compression and becomes a non-linear device, producing distortion, harmonics and intermodulation products. aijykt exgxh fxkdd tfrq cnvx ojtsk dhrmd ubx zugsy frx ahqf mlvbwb nyvj riofm tnvsu